Replacing a MAXNC 15 mill controller
Hey guys. I'm doing a mini project for the high school in my area. They found a MaxNC 15 covered in dust. I've managed to get it working, it uses an older version of the control box that manually controls the speed of the drill bit using a black knob. It turns on and works, They also have a lathe attachment. I plug it into a pc using a parallel port but it doesn't seem to read it. I tried several programs to no avail. While I was researching throughout the internet people have been saying that I should scrap the controller and build my own. Problem is i have no clue how to. I searched a bit and was wondering if I would be able to use a TinyG as a new controller for it. Any thoughts?
These are the specs on the website for the mill but the controller seen on these pictures has 8 cables protruding from it while the one at the high school has only 3 cables and a black knob
MAXNC 15 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
US
METRIC
Overall Width (X) with 16" X-slide
21.5"
546 mm
Overall Depth (Y)
20.8"
527 mm
Overall Height (Z)
21.9"
556 mm
Weight
54 lb
24.5 kg
Dimensional Shipping Weight
104 lb
47.2 kg
X Axis Travel, 12" slide
N/A
N/A
X Axis Travel, 16" slide
10.0"
254 mm
X Axis Travel, 18" slide
12.0"
305 mm
Y Axis Travel
8.0"
203 mm
Z Axis Travel
9.0"
229 mm
X, Y, Z Slides cross section
4" x 1"
102 x 25 mm
X-Y Block dimensions
4" x 6 " x 1.5"
102 x 152 x 38 mm
Z Block dimensions
4" x 6 " x 1.5"
102 x 152 x 38 mm
Gussets dimensions (bxh)
2.5" x 16.25"
64 x 413 mm
Spindle Motor Max RPM (1/5 hp)
10,000 RPM
10,000 RPM
Spindle Max RPM (1/5 hp)
See RPM Reduction Factor
4,350 RPM
4,350 RPM
Spindle Max RPM (1/2 hp)
See RPM Reduction Factor
4,350 RPM
4,350 RPM
Spindle Max RPM (1/2 hp)
See RPM Reduction Factor
4,350 RPM
4,350 RPM
Spindle pulley drive system
Timing Belt, Timing Pulleys
Timing Belt, Timing Pulleys
Pulleys Ratio (Spindle / Motor, 1/5 hp motor)
Torque Amplification Factor
2.3
2.3
Pulleys Ratio (Spindle / Motor, 1/2 hp motor)
Torque Amplification Factor
2.3
2.3
Pulleys Ratio (Motor / Spindle, 1/5 hp motor)
RPM Reduction Factor
43%
43%
Pulleys Ratio (Motor / Spindle, 1/2 hp motor)
RPM Reduction Factor
43%
43%
Stepper motor bipolar series current (each axis)
2.1 A
2.1 A
Stepper motor bipolar torque (each axis)
175.0 Oz-In
1.24 N-m
Stepper motor degree size
1.8°
1.8°
Max rapid and feed rate
60.0 I/min
1,524 mm/min
Positioning resolution
0.00025"
0.0064 mm
Repeatability
0.00025"
0.0064 mm
Antibacklash nuts in all axes
Standard
Standard
Lead screw diameter
1/4"
6.4 mm
Lead screw lead (advance per turn, 20 TPI)
0.05"
1.27mm
Frame material
6061 T6 Aluminum
Frame finish
MIL-A-8625(1) Type III Class 2 Black anodization
MIL-A-8625(1) Type III Class 2 Black anodization
Input voltage (standard)
110 v
110 v
Input voltage (optional)
220 v
220 v
Replacing a MAXNC 15 mill controller
Then I would add an Ethernet SmoothStepper, this would allow you to bypass the PP connection. You will get a much smoother pulse train and possibly faster travel speeds if desired. It will also allow up to 3 ports of inputs and outputs. This would keep the overall electronics sizing very compact.
You could use a different breakout board like a PMDX-126, the necessary drivers (3) minimum on a mill, still you would need a USB or Ethernet board like the Smoothstepper or Csmio. All of these methods would work but the G540 and Smoothstepper combo would most likely be the most inexpensive, dependable, smallest, and pretty easy to configure (of course this is dependent on your experience with Mach 3 or EMC). The G540 mentioned supplies a max of 3.5 amps per axis. This is plenty for your needs.
The stepper wiring is a non issue. The wiring diagrams are readily available. It is a matter of determining the desired traits of the stepper, amps available per axis, etc.
In regards to wiring a db9. Time to learn to solder. Great tutorials on YouTube. You will need this skill to play this game. Simple to do well enough. Practice soldering and desoldering on some old junk electronics.
There are some great vendors here on the Zone. Gecko, CNC4PC, Automation direct, the list goes on. In my experience most have been very helpful trying to help a noob (me, though I am learning) make sense of the products, wiring and configuration issues. In fact I would go as far as to say, I have never been so impressed by a group of helpful people. I have had them call me personally and walk me thru my problems. More than 1 time. This is a very intricate set of problems. It will require patience, some electrical understanding or the ability to learn and study it til you do, mechanical and other skills. Do not let it deter you.
Btw, any experience with CAD/CAM? GCode? Machining? Work holding? If not, it will become a learning experience. I say that because I built my first controller from a kit (Hobby CNC PRO) it is a great kit and still works well to this day. After everything was assembled, wired, configured within Mach 3, I had no idea of how to make the machine move. Fortunately someone stepped up and gave me a simple GCode to insert in the MDI. This was after verifying the potential travels of the machine. I was so happy to see movement. The people who understand all of the steps and are proficient at it, are highly skilled professionals. Regardless if they are paid that way.
There seems to be plenty to learn and it is ongoing. I find it fun and with the internet, YouTube and forums, finding information beats the library and the Dewey Decimal System any day.
Re: Replacing a MAXNC 15 mill controller
i Have a max nc 15 as well but the controll board as long as every wire have diconected, would you be willing to post a photo of the wiring insid the metal box so i may put it back together and see if mine works